Long Island heat wave to test air conditioning systems, drive demand for repairs
Derek Labarbera, a service technician at Tragar Heating and Cooling Company in Massapequa, making a service call at a home in Hicksville Wednesday. Credit: Rick Kopstein
A blistering heat wave will strain Long Islanders' air conditioning systems this week, as temperatures are expected to surge above 100 degrees Friday.
Homeowners whose cooling systems fail could face long waits and costly repairs, as local HVAC companies scramble to meet demand and search for parts. Meanwhile, some distributors close altogether for Independence Day, said Carol Seitz-Cusack, CEO and president of Therm-A-Trol Heating and Air Conditioning Specialists in Blue Point.
"You know that energy we feel when we're going to get a hurricane around here?" Seitz-Cusack said. "I'm feeling it. I'm feeling everybody's just kind of waiting to see what happens. We're all going to be very busy."
Local companies told Newsday homeowners should take basic steps to maintain their systems by changing air filters and clearing debris around their outdoor units. Homeowners who need to replace their systems may need to spend $10,000 or more at a time when many Long Islanders already report struggling with the cost of living.
Energy costs have been a key driver of inflation this year, as homeowners endured a brutal winter and faced rising gas prices this spring. Now, the heat wave will drive up Long Islanders' electricity bills as they cool their homes.
Residential household cooling costs in the Northeast average $400 to $500 annually, according to estimates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Homeowners can help reduce their energy costs by setting air conditioners to 78 degrees and closing blinds and window coverings, according to PSEG Long Island.
Longer-term fixes include sealing gaps in attics, basements or around windows and doors, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority said in a statement.
Seitz-Cusack said she encourages customers to avoid taxing their systems by setting thermostats too low.
"Don't run your system so hard that you break it," she said.
Kerry O'Brien, the third-generation co-owner of heating and cooling company T.F. O'Brien & Co. in New Hyde Park, said he expects double or triple the normal number of calls during the heat wave. The most basic repairs for central air systems start at $300 and can quickly rise to $1,000 or more, he said.
"A lot of service that we'll find this time of year, believe it or not, are simple things — dirty air filters, clogged condenser coils — really basic maintenance stuff," he said. "People don't think about it till it gets hot."
Regular upkeep can prevent systems from breaking down and offer warnings to consider a replacement.
"I'd rather not be having that conversation when it's 90 degrees out and your system's not working," he said.
Warning signs of a system on the brink include lights dimming when it turns on and off; excessive noise; and a system that doesn't cool as well as it once did, O'Brien said.
The average central air system lasts 15 to 20 years, according to personal finance website NerdWallet, and a new system could cost anywhere from $2,500 to $15,000, depending on the unit type, according to a guide from NerdWallet.
On Long Island, costs for new systems can spike to as much as $10,000 to $20,000, O'Brien said.
Homeowners needing a replacement should remember important savings tips, such as seeking referrals from trusted sources, gathering multiple quotes and looking for rebates on energy-efficient units, said Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet.
Credit cards that allow for 12 months of interest-free payments can help homeowners cover emergency repairs, she said.
"You want to make sure you're choosing an option that doesn't add to the cost by adding on interest and fees," Palmer said.
Jonathan LaMantia covers residential real estate and other business news on Long Island. He previously covered the business of health care for Crain's New York Business.
